Vital Victoria Podcast #24 – Russell Books: How a family’s literary legacy is building community

Posted on May 10, 2024 in Vital Victoria Podcast

Andrea and Jordan Minter, managers of Victoria’s beloved Russell Books, tell host Lucky Budd their family story of building one of Canada’s largest independent bookstores. 

For 28 years, Russell Books has been inspiring reading enthusiasts and bringing the community together through regular literary events, while proudly supporting non-profit literacy initiatives and schools throughout the capital region. 

Tune in to learn more about a bookstore that isn’t just a bookstore, but a hub of creativity, knowledge, history, philanthropy, and community connection. (Oh, and it’s a Guinness World Record holder too!)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vital Signs Issue Areas:

This episode relates to the issue area of ‘Learning’, which was given a grade of ‘B’ in Greater Victoria’s 2023 Vital Signs report (see page 24). This issue is connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.  

Episode 24 Guests:

Andrea and Jordan Minter are the managers of Russell Books at 747 Fort Street – a store widely known for its new, used, and antiquarian books of all kinds. 

The store was founded in Montreal in 1961 by Reg Russell (Andrea’s grandfather) who opened a Victoria branch in 1991 with his daughter Diana and her husband Ron Depol. Andrea and Jordan are now the managers of this third-generation company, and have been instrumental in embedding the store into the community by supporting literacy in schools, education organizations, and other local literacy initiatives.  

Together, with the help of their young kids, they’re working to make sure everyone in the region can connect with their community while escaping into the pages of a good book! 

Episode 24 Resources: